Sports
Top Guns to Storm Lagos for 10th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as World Press Conference Holds Friday
As the countdown to the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon intensifies, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd has announced that a world press conference will be held on Friday at the Headquarters of Access Bank, Oniru, Lagos.
This event is part of a series of activities leading up to race day and is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a landmark edition of the prestigious marathon.
Scheduled for Saturday, February 15, this year’s race is set to host approximately 4,000 athletes, including 100 elite international runners, solidifying its status as one of Africa’s premier marathon events.
Among the distinguished personalities expected to be in attendance are top government officials, sports administrators, and legendary athletes.
The roll call includes the Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication/Spokesperson to the President, Hon. Sunday Dare, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Vice President, Chief Solomon Ogba, NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade; Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Tonobok Okowa, amongst others.
Adding to the excitement, a host of legendary Nigerian athletes will grace the occasion, including Mary Onyali, Yusuf Alli, and Falilat Ogunkoya, whose contributions to Nigerian athletics remain iconic.
With anticipation building, the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is set to be a historic spectacle, bringing together top-tier athletes, dignitaries, and sports enthusiasts from around the world. Stay tuned as the city of Lagos prepares to host yet another thrilling race day!
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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